THANKS TO BRIAN BLEDSOE AND THE FOLKS AT CASFM FOR A FANTASTIC PROGRAM. STAYED TUNED FOR 2014 DATES and INFORMATION.
Join us for this two-day workshop on the history, theories, and implementation of stream restoration practices. July 21-23. Email carl@shadowcliff.org for more information. This workshop is sold out–a wait list is being maintained. Contact carl@shadowcliff.org for more information.
The Program
Stream restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of ecological function, dynamic stability, habitat, water quality, biodiversity and other valued amenities in stream ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. This course emphasizes approaches that integrate hydrologic, geomorphological, and ecological science with engineering design to reestablish watershed processes that sustain stream habitats and functions.
Participants will be exposed to a variety of stream restoration/rehabilitation approaches and tools including:
o Hydrologic analysis including statistical characterization of flow regimes, gage
extrapolation, dimensionless flow duration curves, specific gage, and effective
discharge
o Hydraulic geometry and scaling properties
o Historical analysis, classification, and channel evolution
o Key aspects of hydraulics and sediment transport
o Integrating analytical and analog design approaches in design of threshold and
alluvial channels
o Grade control and basic concepts of fish passage
o Exposure to software used in restoration / rehabilitation design such as HECRAS / SAM / SIAM, BAGS, Gary Parker’s tools, Habitat Suitability Analysis, IHA,
GeoTools
o Environmental flows – ELOHA, channel / riparian maintenance
o Passive approaches and ecological engineering
o Watershed assessment and prioritizing projects
o Dealing with uncertainty in restoration projects
Case studies will be used to demonstrate how various tools from the stream restoration
toolbox can be integrated in planning and design.
Instructor:
Brian Bledsoe is Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University where he conducts research and teaches courses on rivers and watersheds. Brian has over 25 years of experience as an engineer and environmental scientist in the private and public sectors, including over 20 years of experience in stream and wetland restoration. He earned degrees from Georgia Tech, North Carolina State University, and Colorado State University. He has worked in the private sector as a surveyor and consulting engineer, and for the State of North Carolina as a stream and wetland restoration specialist and as nonpoint source program coordinator.
Brian’s research and teaching interests are focused on the interface between hydrology and aquatic ecology. In 2006, Brian received an NSF CAREER Award, and in 2008 he served as a Fulbright Scholar in Chile where he worked on environmental flows for sustaining river ecosystems. He also has extensive experience in the development of practical diffuse pollution and hydromodification management strategies and tools in several regions of the US and Canada. Brian served as an expert peer reviewer on the Everglades and Louisiana Coastal Area restoration efforts, as well as the EPA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program. Brian is a licensed professional engineer in NC and CO and has authored over 100 publications related to stream and watershed processes, ecological restoration and water quality.
CASFM TECHNICAL TRAINING – ECOLOGICAL STREAM RESTORATION
Tentative Agenda
July 21
3 p.m. check-in and free time.
6 p.m. Â Dinner
7:30 p.m. Introductions and optional hike to nearby stream
July 22
8:00-9:00 Overview of Stream Restoration Paradigms, Approaches, and Tools
9:00-10:00 A Few Essentials from Hydrology, Hydraulics, Sediment Transport, and
Applied Fluvial Geomorphology
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-12:00 A Few Essentials from Hydrology, Hydraulics, Sediment Transport, and
Applied Fluvial Geomorphology – continued
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Combining Analog and Analytical Approaches to the Design of Threshold and
Alluvial Channels
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:00 Combining Analog and Analytical Approaches to the Design of Threshold and
Alluvial Channels – continued
4:00-5:00 Self-Organization and Passive Approaches to Restoration
6:00- Group Dinner w/ Discussion of Priority Topics
July 23
8:00-9:30 Environmental Flows for Habitat, Sediment Flushing, Riparia, etc.
9:30-9:45 Break
9:45-11:00 Grade Control and Fish Passage Design
11:00-12:00 Addressing Uncertainty in Stream Restoration Design
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Watershed Perspective, Brief Case Studies, Synthesis
2:30-5:00 Field Trip to Nearby Stream Project w/ Discussion of Priority Topics Selected by Participants
Registration:Â
Registration information and materials are available at the CASFM website:Â http://www.casfm.org/